A touch more proof could bump the complexity but overall, for adventurous drinkers looking for that first peated experience, this is a great introduction.
I want to like OB Bowmore, but no matter how many I try it never hits that point of being something I think about pouring when I walk through the door after work. It never occurs to me that it would “hit the spot”.
Fans of big Islay smoke will find this underwhelming, but this is a near-perfect bottle to pull out for a friend who likes Scotch and wants to wade into the pool of Islay.
Remarkably flavorful for a whisky bottled at the minimum 40%, Bowmore 12 Year Old is one of the best entry level single malts around. At the very least, it’s a contender for the best entry level from Islay. At the same time, it’s easy to see why my interview subjects kept pointing to it as a go-to whisky.
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House Review
Nose:
Punchy and pungent, this honey-apple bomb also exudes slate, ash and a touch of smoldering wood. Light peat is there, but it’s not overpowering.
Taste:
Sweet at first, honey and lemon curd strike initially. Light oak. A touch of crème brûlée. The peat gently develops, mostly ash and a touch of brine and iodine.
Finish:
Medium finish, it’s pleasant although perhaps not the most complex. Light ash, honey, burning wood and a touch of brine.
Overall:
Bowmore 12 Year makes for a pleasant introduction to the ways of Islay. A touch more proof could bump the complexity but overall, for adventurous drinkers looking for that first peated experience, this is a great introduction.
Score:
80
By T8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
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